national education

For many Singaporeans, the 80 metre high Changi Airport control tower is a familiar sight. But just how much do we know about our airport?

In the 1900s, Singapore had three airports – namely Seletar Airport , Kallang Airport and Paya Lebar Airport – to handle the increasing number of passengers passing through Singapore .

In 1975, when the three airports could no longer handle the number of passengers, the government decided to build a brand new airport at Changi to replace the one at Paya Lebar. Finally, on 1 July 1981 , the construction of Changi Airport was completed.

 

The Story Behind Changi Airport

Changi Airport is built mainly on reclaimed land near where the original World War II Changi airbase stood. The Changi airbase was built by prisoners-of-war between 1943 and 1944. It was later taken over by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1946 and served as the main runway for military aircraft till 1949.

About 870 hectares of land were reclaimed to build Changi Airport . That is about the size of Sentosa.

 

Many Firsts

When it was opened, the airport had many firsts, including being the world's largest airport at the time. The airport also won numerous awards. Since then, it has continued to be the first in many areas and to win more awards.

 

The first award

In 1988, seven years after its opening, Changi Airport won its first “ Best Airport in the World” award. To date, it has won over 250 awards!

 

First expansion and renovation works

In 1990, Terminal two began operations. Five years later, Terminal one was given a new look with major redecoration and renovation works. One year later, in 1996, both terminals were expanded to cater to a greater number of passengers. In the same year, plans to build Terminal three were approved.

 

Super-mall

Changi Airport is not merely an airport, it is an attraction all by itself. In 1997, the airport focused on building more shops and restaurants, making it a “Super-mall”! Its efforts were not wasted. Today, the shops and eating places in the airport are making more money than other shopping malls in Singapore , including Orchard Road .

 

First to go green?

In 1998, Changi Airport became the first airport in the world to house a rooftop Cactus Garden . Today, the airport has six open-air gardens, each housing a different type of plant: cacti, bamboo, heliconia, sunflower, fern and orchid.

Are you game?

Changi Airport was the first and only airport to produce a game show, called “What's Your Range?” in its Transit Malls in 2001.

 

Star-struck

In 2004, the airport organised a cool program called “Famous Personalities Program” which gave passengers chances to meet the stars at Changi Airport . Famous stars such as the Backstreet Boys, Bond and Vanessa Mae were some that participated in the program.

 

Budget travel

As budget airlines became more popular, Changi Airport began building a budget terminal. The Budget Terminal was opened on 26 March 2006 .

As you can see from its successful history, Changi Airport continually improves and upgrades itself, garnering many awards and setting many records. So what is in store for Changi Airport in the future?

 

Bigger and Better

The airport is set to become bigger and better in the future, especially with the opening of Terminal three on 9 January 2008 . Terminal three will be a structure mainly made of glass, with big transparent spaces inside the terminal. The roof has been designed to allow natural light to enter the building. A five-metre-high “green wall” has been built to give the place a tropical feel.

Doesn't the new terminal sound exciting already?

An open house of Terminal three, whereby people may visit and take a look at the new terminal is scheduled in November. So keep a look-out for the news!